Power

I feel quite empowered today... it could be from my singular focus on STEAM and its relationship to everything that I teach.  

Today I had the honor of being present at the Board of Director's meeting for Tinius Olsen Testing Machines: my family's business that has been STEAMING along since 1880.  A business that has helped shape the consumer manufacturing business in all areas of life; from the strength of concrete, the strength of re-bar, to how thin plastics can get; we even make a machine to test the strength of a stuffed animal's eye?  As I participated in the meeting I could not help but note that when I am teaching life skills to my 8th grade class I am helping them learn how to make life choices that have been simultaneously affected by some great engineering ideas that came out of our companies products.  So much more is available to them to make wise decisions with than when G-GPop Olsen began the business.  The connection to FCS is Strong!  Wonder if we can manufacture a machine to test that strength!

Now back to the research paper - I was inspired during the meeting to finish up the few points - formatting the table of contents and writing the abstract. Having the opportunity to share my paper with my cousins, getting their feedback and support, gave me the push I needed to write what I thought would be difficult - an abstract that was concise.  It's great to have family support!  To paraphrase my cuz - The boardroom table seems to have become the new dining room table - a place of support!  The day certainly helped confirm to me the importance a family has on the development of productive citizens, and why Family & Consumer Science continues to be viable in our educational environment.  It certainly did not hurt when my cousins overwhelmingly supported my supposition of the connection of FACS to STEM... this is a STEM business, looking at all times for a workforce that can think creatively to solve the problems of tomorrow.

Spent about two hours working on the two.  I feel so much more comfortable with the aspects of Word that I was not familiar with.  Practice certainly helps as I worked to get it together during the week.  Thanks to Karl for helping me with changing the Header, and Carolyn for the pointers on Word..

Revisions may be needed, but I am sure I will manage those.

Power surge

As we come towards the end of this semester I feel I can finally start checking off all the commitments that I have made. 

NJEA presentations - check

FCCLA Fall leadership competition - check

Pre-assessments - check

Post-assessment - 1 down, 2 to go

Writing the paper - almost a check

This week I spent two hours writing my methods and procedures with minimal revisions.  I also spent two hours writing my reflection of the needs assessment.  I am feeling comfortable with my subject.

All that is left now is to: 

1. Finish the Literature review - goal is to have it done prior to Turkey day!

2.  Begin Cover page and table of contents.  This should be a challenge, isn't this why we hire editors?

I continue to advocate for FCS as a piece of STEM/STEAM education.  By taking an administrator to the FCCLA Fall Conference I was able to show her what FCS really encompasses.  Her eyes were opened and I think that there can only be positive results, time will tell. 

The success the students experienced as they brought home gold medals from competition gives me joy and thanks!

Change takes time, but STEAM, like water can change the geography of our environment.

Blocked.. Clogged and somewhat congested

This week seems to be moving quickly without my full participation. It seems that since our week off for the convention I have been moving in one speed ... slow and somewhat stumped.  The work just keeps on coming; marking period ends, grades need to be entered, DC trip needs to be chaperoned, and next thing you know it is FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference and Competition.  So in the middle of coming back from DC completely congested and feeling very much sub-par I need to motivate 30 some students to complete a variety of competition projects. Banners, Lamps, Child Care Projects, Cupcakes and Display units and dresses are all needed to be completed and perfected.

 It is exciting to see the enthusiasm these students have, and they don't seem too concerned that they will need to be at school by 6 AM on a Monday Morning.  When I get frustrated I remind myself that this is why we do the job.  Watching them work as teams to create within the guidelines given shows how they understand the concept of engineering.  Tonight they gave me the list of resources needed to make the cupcake display - PVC pipe, Electric Drill, Duct Tape, L-brackets, foam board - They have the idea and the plan; hopefully it will work when it comes together!  I have a huge smile on my face because I see the connection directly to my STEAM initiative within a FCS curriculum.

As for my project; I wish I was moving as quickly.  The four hours of writing Chapter four seemed to go smoothly.  I still get all confused with the APA guidelines and I am grateful for Amy's gentle nudging on the comments. I certainly hope I finally get it under control by the time the paper is completed.  It really does not surprise me that I have difficulty with the guidelines - I never was one to follow the rules!
I am trying to wrap my head around the Methods and Procedure Plan (chapter 3).  As I outline it I am concerned it is too large to be completed in a 45 day cycle.  I need to focus on the use of technology and am going to be working hard to create methods of flipped learning experiences that will enable students to be hands-on in a project based environment.  Hopefully my ideas can transfer onto paper.  This may become the one time I need an extension.

Full STEAM ahead...

As I think about moving Full STEAM ahead I am immediately drawn to ships.  This may be due to reading my Great-Great Grandmothers' letters from ships while she traveled from the US to Europe, or is it because my cousin is currently volunteering on crew with the world's largest floating book fair currently docked in the UAE.

  

This led me to the "Ship the Changed the World" the SS Great Britain - the ship that is considered the first great Ocean Liner.  Steam power bringing people from one side of the world to the other, making our world a little bit smaller, with just a little less risk, in a little less time.  Enjoy a view into the world of getting ready to sail under "Steam Power".

STEAM has been powering the world since the 1800's - harnessing it into the world of Family & Consumer Science has been my goal with this research project.  I think of how life has evolved for all us as technology has changed our lives in so many ways using science, engineering, art (design) and mathematics.  Without the integration of all of these disciplines, our possibilities of travel, communication, relaxation, creation and economy would be limited.  We can learn so much through the study of the integration of these disciplines.  Even now, I learn about a ship I had heard of only fleetingly - and I can even play a game -

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Where else can I learn how to build a ship?  I hope it floats!

RESEARCH PROJECT

This past week was spent with little writing, but lots of ideas and implementation.  Last week was a week off of teaching as I attending the NJEA Teacher Convention in Atlantic City.  I had the opportunity to present 3 workshops; two in High Tech Hall and the third in a PD classroom.  I enjoyed presenting a workshop - 

To Market, To Market - a project based learning workshop focused on the creative energy and methods offered through Synectics.  Having teachers help students develop their creative skills while "thinking outside the box" is a start towards the entrepreneurial mindset that current Fortune 500 CEO's are looking for.

I continue to work on revising my Literature Review - as I continue to reach out to other FCS professionals, I am coming in contact with others that are also trying to link CTE, FCS to the STEM and STEAM initiatives.  Others seem to be focusing on the relationship the teachers have with integrating and incorporating STEM/STEAM initiatives.  I seem to be a lone soul looking at it from the students learning.

Before leaving for break I had the opportunity to administer the first post-assessment - FACS to STEAM with my first group of students.  I have not yet pulled the analysis, but that should be completed shortly. As I returned to school this week, I have administered the Pre-Assessment for the second marking period students.  I continue to gather data, which is being collated and evaluated.

I have spent approximately 4 hours writing the Methods and Procedures.  I am concerned that I do not have multiple assessments, but due to the short time period I have with the students, I am concerned that I will be too focused on gathering information while not having ample time for instructional intervention.

So like my ship building experience in the game, I am sure I will be able to build a "ship" (project) that floats.

Needed: STEAMing cafe

          Week in Review

This week saw the paper coming together.  After completing the Literature Review, I spent several hours working on the learner context and the Goals and Objectives.  Just like in IDD, I seem to have a problem recognizing the differences of the goals and objectives.  Hopefully after the re-write I have it down.

The result of the pre-assessment measured how students recognized the relationship between FCS and STEAM education.  The assessment showed that students understood the relationship between FCS and mathematics, but that they had a harder time identifying how science and engineering related to FCS.

This week was certainly one steeped in coffee consumption.  On top of all the elements of the paper coming together, the marking period ended, SGO post assessments were given and I needed to administer the first of the post assessments for the capstone project.  Just keep the coffee coming, I can get through all this work.

As to the hours I have spent - I have lost track.  So much of what I am doing for my capstone are related to the workshops I am presenting, I just keep working.  I even seem to find new literature to review ... It seems that there is even a study that has linked to The process of creating crafts to the increase of patent awards.  This study has just been published through the University of Michigan.  A Young Picasso or Beethoven  could be the next Edison. I am sure there is a way I can use this in my paper - it confirms what I have always believed.

Currently being brought before the House of Representatives is a bill that would add Art to STEM education for STEAM,  There needs to be more signatures, so if you are so inclined, help those of us who really see the interdisciplinary links between STEM and the Arts get it focused in our educational goals.
STEM to STEAM Petition

So now I think I need a cup of coffee... maybe I'll get a chance to relax with one this week as I put together my NJEA convention presentations.

I Think I can... I Think I can...

Week six finds me quoting one of my favorite childrens' book over and over.  I think I can,  I think I can,  I think I can,  I think I can... I KNOW I CAN!

I had concerns Monday evening as I went to class.  I had not completed the literature review, even though eleven pages were written.  I seemed as though it just got longer and longer.  I was concerned that there was too much being stated.  Luckily Amy kept me calm, and after a few more hours (4) I had the paper competed and submitted, making it just before due time.  

After completion I did take a day off from the project, I needed to regroup so I did so by creating - pulling out some knitting projects.

This week I worked on Learner/Context Analysis.  This was so much easier for me to complete as I believe I do truly know my students.  As I move forward analyzing the needs assessment, I will also be administering my post assessment for the first group of students as the marking period is ending.  This cycle has moved so quickly.  I am looking forward to seeing if my students truly will be able to make the connections to STEAM/STEM concepts in Family and Consumer Science.

STEAMING Through...

This week has been one of frustration... you know those weeks when you feel like you are going to burst!

I have spent the week reading, finding links from one paper to the next, communicating digitally and I feel like I am over thinking this entire chapter of literature review.

It's frustrating when the idea seems so obvious, yet nobody has seemed to focus on it.  How will I ever make this idea come together?

Recap:  Spent about two hours every night reading anything that could possibly relate to FCS and STEM/STEAM education.  Search terms: FCS, Family and Consumer Science, Home Economics, STEM, STEAM, SMET, Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Technology; all in a variety of combinations.  Still seem to get the same results.

Saturday and Sunday found me sitting at my computer typing, writing, editing and trying to figure out APA.  Who thought the highlight of the weekend would be hemming pants, just for a break!  Of course, that's using STEM skills - technology, Engineering and math - measuring, planning, etc.

Searching with Educational Research Complete, EIRC, Google Scholar, etc, etc.  I have lots of research, but none directly.

What I know:  FCS and STEM are connected and they are directly related to 21st century skills.  Hopefully I can pull it together in some sort of order.